I've got a lot of healing to do from the show

After her tough time on MAFS UK, transgender contestant Ella Morgan is staying single and building a new career

- LAUREN MORRIS

Married At First Sight UK star Ella Morgan may not have found a husband on the E4 show, but she's made a new best friend and exciting plans for a new career path.

The 29-year-old was the first transgender contestant to take part in the dating show and while her two MAFS UK marriages didn't work out, she's realised a relationship isn't for her right now, and has also quit her job.

"I've realised my worth and that for me was the best thing to come out of this," she smiles.

"I've left my job and what I want to do going forward is documentaries, TV presenting. I'm lucky in that there's space for me in this industry - there aren't many trans presenters."

In the series - in which singles meet their future spouses for the first time at the wedding altar Ella was matched with marketing manager Nathaniel before finding a romantic connection with Essex-based JJ Slater and continuing the experiment with him.

Since amicably parting ways from JJ in the final episode, Ella, who's from Weston-super-Mare, has sworn off dating after her relationships on the show left her feeling "slightly traumatised".

"The final vows were the hardest moment for me and at the time, I didn't really know whether I wanted to leave him or just be friends," she says. "I think I'm still processing our break-up and our relationship."

 It may be over romantically with JJ, but Ella says they have become close friends and speak on the phone every day.